They started out with plenty of projects … and they ended up with even more to do.
Volunteers with the Escalon Strong community outreach fanned out across the Almond Grove mobile home park along Jackson Avenue in Escalon on Saturday, Oct. 22 to handle a variety of tasks for residents of the park.
There was gutter cleaning, installation of motion detector lights, some safety strip installations, gate repair and more. Plenty of pruning and weeding also kept crews busy with yard work, there were fence repairs, porch railing repairs; the three dozen volunteers spending the bulk of their day Saturday in community service.
“We had 28 adults and eight youth and there were 38 units (homes in the park) that were served,” coordinator Elsa Sandoval said of the initial work day. “As of Saturday, we had done 13 gutters, installed 18 security lights, trimmed about 13 trees … we were actually out there again Sunday wrapping up a couple of things and we’ll be out again next Saturday. We picked up more projects; the need is seriously there.”
The work day at Almond Grove came about after many residents received ‘fix-it’ notices and were concerned they might be evicted. The Escalon Strong effort was able to address those ‘fix it’ needs and many more, said Sandoval, and she pointed to the donations from Hagan Veterinary Clinic and Hogan Manufacturing as financing the majority of the work done at the location. All of the services for the residents at the park were provided free of charge.
The volunteers were key, some there most of the day, others coming in at various times for their tasks. They started out the day with pastries and beverages and workers also received lunch.
“I think it’s really great; the Escalon Strong organization, they’re coming through, they are really out here doing something,” said resident Dicksie Woodward. “They’ve been just great getting it all organized and this is excellent for our seniors.”
Many of the volunteers were ‘unskilled’ labor and handled all the tasks they could; a few contractors also donated time and talent to take on some of the more intricate projects.
Overall, said Sandoval, it was a very successful weekend of community outreach and the Escalon Strong non-profit will continue to work to address areas of need throughout the city.
